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Cameron B. drank Earl Grey by Lupicia

4572 tasting notes

Advent Calendar 2025 – Day 1

So, this isn’t technically an official advent calendar. When I went to purchase a couple of holiday teas from Lupicia (Joyeux Noël and Christmas Wreath), I saw that they had a gorgeous tin with 20 different sachets inside. So naturally, I ordered it and added 5 more from my own free sample stash to make it a 25-day advent. And then I rearranged them to spread out the different tea types and the holiday teas, because I really just can’t help myself LOL.

Anyway, this is day 1! I don’t generally drink plain Earl Grey, as I prefer it to have a bit of extra citrus at least, and there are so many other variations that I love. But, I had never tried Lupicia’s! I stopped the steep at 2.5 minutes (instead of 3) because I assumed it would be a Ceylon base. Turns out it’s Qimen, so I needn’t have bothered, but oh well. It’s a nice, standard EG with a moderate amount of bergamot on a smooth yet flavorful black base. The bergamot here is perhaps a touch on the floral/perfumey side of things versus the citrusy one, but still pleasant and tastes like it’s high quality.

Flavors: Acidic, Bergamot, Brisk, Citrus, Earthy, Floral, Mineral, Perfume, Smooth

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, wax melts, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- December sipdowns: 0
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 176

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing